Minnesota Family History Research: 11/27/16

Saturday, December 3, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 3

December 3, 1916 – Dr. Robinson Bosworth, secretary of the Minnesota State Health Association; President Frank Wells of the Moorhead Normal School, and Dr. O. J. Hagen of Moorhead, addressed more than 1,500 persons who attended the opening of the Clay-Becker County Tuberculosis Sanatorium near Lake Park, Minn., today.

Clay-Becker County Tuberculosis Sanatorium¹

The joint county hospital, built to house and care for 32 tubercular patients, was constructed at a cost of $52,000.

Shortly after opening, the name was changed to the Sand Beach Sanatorium.¹

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “New Tuberculosis Sanatorium Opens. Clay-Becker County Hospital Cost $52,000—Will House Thirty-two Patients.”; Dec. 4, 1916; p. 3.

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

Website: TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com

Friday, December 2, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 2

December 2, 1921 – Menaced by a bandit’s gun, Justice of the Peace V. D. Crandall shot him down on the streets of Robbinsdale, Minn., Friday and recovered $1,500 that the man had just stolen from the Security State Bank. The man was identified as G. G. Farrel of Minneapolis.

With a mask over his eyes, the man entered the bank when Ole Orvum, 24, and Miss Carrie McDougall were alone. He thrust a gun at Orvum and demanded the money. Miss McDougall started the burglar alarm and the bandit fled.

A. B. Wallace, real estate dealer, borrowed a revolver; Crandall accompanied him, and they followed the bandit. Wallace and Crandall called to him to halt, and the bandit drew his gun. Crandall grabbed the revolver from Wallace and fired. The bandit fell dead.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Recovers Stolen Money After Daring Robbery”; Dec. 3, 1921; p. 1.

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Dec. 2, 2016,
as long as acknowledgement included.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 1

December 1, 1916 – In one of its first opinions bearing on the statute to prevent murderers from profiting from their crimes, the Minnesota State Supreme Court today affirmed the decision of the Hennepin County District Court in the action by Lewis Sharpless against the Grand Lodge of A. O. U. W. of Minnesota and Charlotte Sharpless, from which the grand lodge appealed.

Charlotte Sharpless was the beneficiary of a $2,000 certificate of insurance, issued by the Workmen organization on the life of her husband, Leaming Sharpless, and was convicted of murdering her husband and sentenced to the state prison.

Leaming Sharpless¹

Lewis Sharpless sued, contending that as the woman as beneficiary took the life of the insured, she could not recover and that he, being the brother and only surviving heir at law and next of kin, except the widow, was entitled to the proceeds of the certificate. Mrs. Sharpless admitted the record of her conviction and sentence for the murder but claimed that she was entitled to the proceeds.

The grand lodge held that she had forfeited her rights and therefore it was not liable to either the woman or Lewis Sharpless under its laws. The plaintiff demurred on the ground that it did not state facts sufficient to constitute a defense.

The court holds that by murdering the insured the beneficiary forfeits the right to the proceeds of the policy, but that such murder does not relieve the insurer from liability to others and that in such case the sole heir of the deceased, who would take upon the death of an eligible beneficiary, may recover.

Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Lewis Sharpless Wins Brother’s Insurance. Supreme Court Rules Against the Convicted Widow in Sword Murder Case.”; Dec. 2, 1916; p. 15.

¹The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; Dec. 18, 1914

Leaming Sharpless murdered by saber; wife in next room hears nothing; see Nov. 14, 2015 blog.

Blood-stained imprint of fingers on the sword that killed Leaming Sharpless may be the principal means of determining the murderer; see Nov. 15, 2015 blog.

Mrs. Sharpless indicted by the Hennepin County Grand Jury for murder in the first degree in the killing of her husband; see Nov. 17, 2015 blog.

Sharpless had two insurance policies for $5,000; made wife beneficiary; see Nov. 23, 2015 blog.

Mrs. Sharpless found guilty of first degree murder; sentenced to life in prison; see Dec. 12, 2015 blog.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: November 30

November 30, 1922 – Youthful bandits, so nervous they spilled silver coins all over the floor in their haste to gather up their loot, held up the Elgin Creamery Company at the supper hour this evening and escaped with the cash. The amount they got has not been definitely determined, but officials believe it to be about $3,000.

Two of the youths entered the creamery offices through a rear basement door while a partner guarded the rear door. Reaching the office, one of the bandits carried a gun and told R. E. Hanson, secretary-treasurer of the company, to back up to the wall. Hanson was alone in the office and was counting receipts from the last two days.

While one youth guarded Hanson, the other grabbed a bag and began dumping bills and coins into it. All money was raked off a desk and a cash drawer in the safe was emptied. Dozens of coins rolled onto the floor and the clink of falling money hastened the bandits’ work. They backed out of the rear door and disappeared with their lookout among the creamery’s wagons and trucks.

Hanson tried to chase the boys but was unable to do anything in the darkness. He then notified the sheriff’s office. The creamery is located just outside the Minneapolis, Minn., city limits (would now be located in Edina).

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “$3,000 Stolen in Bandit Raid. Youths Spill Silver Coins in Haste to Escape With Elgin Creamery Loot.”; Dec. 1, 1922; p. 1.

Examples of old milk cans

http://dailyreporter.com/files/2009/10/creameries-0-102309.jpg

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

Website: TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: November 29

November 29, 1954 – Filmmaker Joel Coen was born in St. Louis Park, Minn., on this date.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coen_brothers

Ethan Coen, left; Joel Coen, right.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:COEN_Brothers_(cannesPH).jpg

Monday, November 28, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: November 28

November 28, 1869 - St. Paul photographer Charles Zimmerman makes the news when he gets knocked out and pinned down by a three-hundred-pound icicle that fell while he was exploring under frozen Minnehaha Falls. Luckily, a passerby found him just in time to save him from a certain death.

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/minnesota/insane-things-that-happened-in-mn/

Behind Frozen Minnehaha Falls

https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/behiind-a-frozen-waterfall-minnehaha-falls-minnesota.jpg

Sunday, November 27, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: November 27

November 27, 2010 – The Timberwolves Kevin Love recorded his fourth 20/20 game in November on this date. He was the first player to have four 20/20 games in a month since Kevin Willis in 1991-92.

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/key-dates-wolves-history-november

Kevin Love

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Love#mediaviewer/File:20140101_Kevin_Love_(cropped).JPG